Leadership is about empowering others to pursue their dreams and coming alongside women and girls through all their personal trials and fearless walk the walk. When people see that you really believe in what you are championing then you are more likely to get support on how to impact people’s lives. For more information on how you can help, do contact www.goodshepherd.my and www.globalshepherds.my

1. by Doris
Lim
May 7,
2019
Euphrasia – The Musical
smartdory.com/2019/05/euphrasia-the-musical/
Euphrasia – The Musical tells the true life story of Mother Mary Euphrasia – from a
mischievous girl growing up in the aftermath of the French Revolution to her founding
of Sisters of the Good Shepherd.
The musical is about one woman’s triumph over insurmountable obstacles through pure
grit and tenacity.
Many may have heard about the Sisters of the Good Shepherd (The Congregation of
Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd) a Catholic religious order and the nuns’ work
with the marginalized communities around the world.
Not all knew about the life of the founder, Saint Mary Euphrasia Pelletier who aspired
to restore the dignity of women and children began in 1835 in Angers, France!
Euphrasia was above all was fully committed to helping better the lives of the
marginalized women of her time.
Mother Euphrasia was a forward-thinking woman with audacious ideas in patriarchal
societies who bravely thought out of the box to network and connect the nuns to help
the poor.
1/15

2. As a young girl, Euphrasia’s encounter with “slavery” gave her a real insight into the issues people face and fuelled
her desire to help. Source: Euphrasia – The Musical FB
Who do you look up to for inspiration?
I watched Euphrasia – The Musical and thought to myself, the youth performers were
probably Mother Euphrasia’s age when she took it upon herself to change the world
she lived in.
More than 150 years ago.
Young men and women today want to be empowered and need support. They are
studious, articulate, driven, and ambitious and fight hard for a place in society once they
finish school to enter the real world.
Many young people today look for mentors and gurus to grow their online world and
businesses. They work hard to grow their Instagram accounts. They learn to make
money online, to do business, with dreams of being financially rich.
So they can live the life they want.
2/15

3. Two Good Shepard Sisters rescuing MEGAN CHNG as Josephine. Source: Euphrasia – The Musical FB
What is the life you really want?
Maybe it is time to stop looking at Superheroes in comic books and movies and take a
look at how a young French girl became someone to inspire other girls to be the best
that they can be.
Mary Euphrasia did what she loved and strived to positively impact as many people as
possible.
During her time, there were no gurus or mentors. There were no webinars, tutorials or
YouTube videos to download.
There was no roadmap.
So what is Mary Euphrasia’s Legacy?
I’m sure it did not cross Mary Euphrasia’s mind to think of creating an enterprise or be a
founder of a billion dollar company so that she could channel the funds to help
others when she MAKES it.
Euphrasia started by believing she could do something to help the community around
her.
She went to where the needy lived and found ways to help. She volunteered and made
friends with the nuns who were weary, short-handed and needed help.
3/15

4. There weren’t any motivational speaker to inspire her. Her inspiration came from her
love for God.
In Mary Euphrasia’s post-French Revolution world, there were countless displaced and
homeless women who were widowed with small children.
She was moved to help women and children, especially those who were trafficked,
forced to migrate and oppressed by abject poverty.
Her passion and vision to empower young women and girls became a full-time job she
loved as she continued to look for a way to impact other nuns to help.
Mary Euphrasia fought hard for what she believed in, despite facing huge adversities
from her bishop.
Euphrasia – The Musical_MEGAN CHNG as Josephine is also Choreographer for the musical. Source: Euphrasia – The
Musical FB
The Story of St Mary Euphrasia Pelletier
Mary Euphrasia Pelletier’s story is relatively unknown.
Born in 1796 as Rose Virginie Pelletier, Mary Euphrasia founded the Sisters of Our
Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd when she was 39.
She was a French Catholic who fought the patriarchy of her time and helped countless
women and children in her hometown in Angers during the post-French Revolution days.
4/15

5. At her boarding school at Tours, Rose found out about the Convent of the Refuge
which belonged to a religious congregation founded in 1641 by St. John Eudes. The
convent was a refuge for the rescue of “fallen” women and the protection of those in
danger.
ALIA KEARNEY as Ashura who is empowered to help the nun and became bold to report to the port authorities to
rescue other women who were exploited and trafficked as slaves. Source: Euphrasia – The Musical FB
Order of Our Lady of Charity
When she was 18, Rose joined the Order of Our Lady of Charity who provided shelter,
food, cared for girls and women in dire circumstances.
Some of the girls were orphaned or abandoned and, some had turned to prostitution
in order to survive.
The Sisters of Our Lady of Charity provided vocational training and an opportunity for
these girls to turn their lives around.
The nuns shared the harsh conditions of the rescued women, surviving on bland food,
hard work, confinement and the long periods of silence.
Euphrasia was elected as superior of the Convent of the Refuge at 29 but was compelled
to leave Angers and return to her own community at Tours.
5/15

6. In later years, Mother St. Euphrasia became convinced that a centralized organization
was necessary as each house as it stood alone would hamper their work to reach out to
the needy.
What was needed was a common noviceship and a superior general who could
transfer the nuns from one house to another as the need arises.
In all her manifold trials and difficulties, St. Mary Euphrasia displayed heroic fortitude,
cheerfulness, and trust in God.
Declared a saint in 1940, her legacy lives on 151 years since her passing in 1868, in 73
countries where the Good Shepherd Sisters welfare organization can be found.
Mother Mary Euphrasia and Monica who grew up to be her life long friend and confidante. Source: Euphrasia – The
Musical FB
St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier (1796 – 1868)
Born: July 31, 1796, Noirmoutier-en-l’Île, France
1814 (18 years old) joined the Order of Our Lady of Charity
1835 (39 years old) founded Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd
Died (71 years old): April 24, 1868, Angers, France
Venerated in: Catholic Church
Beatified: 30 April 1933, Vatican by Pope Pius XII
Canonized: 2 May 1940, St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican by Pope Pius XII
Major shrine: Abbaye Saint-Nicolas d’Angers (Convent and Mother-House of the Good
Shepherd Congregation)
Feast Day: 24 April
Influenced by: John Eudes
6/15

7. Influenced: Mary of the Divine Heart
Books: Conferences and Instructions
Organization founded: Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd
Patronage: Good Shepherd Sisters
Source: Euphrasia – The Musical FB
How would a modern woman relate to Mary Euphrasia’s
story?
Euphrasia – The Musical’s producers Datuk Faridah Merican and Sister Joan Lopez of
the Good Shepherd Sisters believe that the story of St Mary Euphrasia Pelletier is one
of great inspiration.
Mary Euphrasia’s life is a testament to her strong belief in doing good and she did
everything she could to help the marginalized women and children in the 1800s.
The story of a French Catholic nun, who devoted her life to provide shelter to women
and girls in difficulty, is an inspiration that will be a catalyst for women today.
If there is a word to describe this incredible life’s journey of dedication, Mary Euphrasia
was a woman ahead of her time. Today, she would probably be called Female
Trailblazer who made history by taking over prominent new roles for the first time and
pushing boundaries.
What she did in the 1800s was unheard off has redefined society’s oppression of
women.
7/15

8. Over the next thirty-three years, she labored tirelessly as she responded to request to
open houses in France, Europe, United States, Latin America, Asia, Oceania, and
Africa.
“Most of the time, stories are about male heroes, if you tell a story about a woman, she’s
always under sufferance and being tortured. This is not that case, this is a good story to
tell women,” said Faridah in an interview with Malay Mail.
Sister Joan Lopez, the Province Leader of the Good Shepherd Sisters (Singapore and
Malaysia) in her interview with the Star, said that it is important for young people to find
a good role model.
Photo: Doris Lim
Sabahan singer Nikki Palikat played Euphrasia
Talented Singer Nikki Palikat once said that she felt an emptiness just going on stage
and singing during her recording artiste days.
Watching her perform the lead role in Euphrasia the Musical is riveting.
Nikki’s passion and storytelling shone in the musical despite the initial weight of
responsibility she felt playing a character that lived in the 1800s.
Nikki told Malay Mail that in researching about the French nun, she discovered more
about herself in the process.
Few knew about the struggles of Mary Euphrasia who left behind a legacy that continue
to inspire millions of others more than a century later.
8/15

9. NIKKI PALIKAT as Mother Mary Euphrasia. Source: Euphrasia – The Musical FB
9/15

10. What was the most challenging aspect of Mary
Euphrasia’s leadership?
Coming from a grassroots background Mary Euphrasia learned at a young age to
reach out to help the poor and needy.
Even as a young girl, her encounter with “slavery” gave her a real insight into the
issues people face and fuelled her desire to help.
Mary Euphrasia didn’t lose interest and momentum to continuously fundraise and
communicate an inspiring vision that’s worth fighting for to her closest allies and
supporters.
She did things quickly and took action to champion one project after another.
What advice could future women leaders learn from
Mary Euphrasia?
Leadership is about empowering others to pursue their dreams and coming
alongside women and girls through all their personal trials and fearless walk the
walk.
When people see that you really believe in what you are championing then you are more
likely to get support on how to impact people’s lives.
Why Mary Euphrasia is the perfect woman leader?
Mary Euphrasia instructed her daughters to do all in the spirit of the institute and to be
full of love and charity for all souls. Her exemplary qualities are above all
inspirational. Mary Euphrasia is a competent visionary who is empathetic,
passionate and a champion for women.
It’s hard to find a good role model in today’s society where most people seemed lost in a
dreamlike online world.
For young people, finding a passion for work is important.
I work with young people and sometimes they tell me that they find it hard to be excited
to show up to work every day, day after day.
Some have no idea what to do after university or getting a job. Most want to be their own
bosses and build million dollar companies or get rich quickly.
It is more important for young people to have someone they can aspire to be.
10/15

11. Mary Euphrasia’s pioneering works in establishing the Good Shepherd congregation
continue to fight the good fight against human trafficking, prostitution, and
poverty. Euphrasia’s legacy lives on to provide provides shelter and training for women
and children.
11/15

12. Mother Mary Euphrasia pointing the way to Jesus to a rescued “slave” Ashura. Source: Euphrasia – The Musical FB
12/15

13. How to tell the people about Mary Euphrasia?
The producers of “Euphrasia” believe that a musical is the best way to tell Mary
Euphrasia’s story which everyone can relate to.
Province leader Sister Joan Lopez said the Good Shepherd Sisters wanted to work on a
musical since 2017 to celebrate her 150th death anniversary last year.
Euphrasia – The Musical is about a remarkable woman with great commitment in an era
that was very difficult for women to come out and do things.
Written from a social angle, issues of human rights, social justice, human
trafficking of the weak and marginalized is highlighted.
In the opening bar scene, a young girl (a modern-day slave) who was “owned” by a man
was forced into providing commercial sex before she managed to run away and were
encouraged to seek shelter protection from violence with the Good Shepherd
(Women Shelter).
The new a new musical written by talented local playwrights Cheah UiHua and Terence
Toh, opened at KLPac’s Pentas 1 on April 26, 2019, and will tour Ipoh, Perak and Kota
Kinabalu, Sabah.
The two-hour-long musical, which contains 29 songs, is helmed by Dominic Lucien Luk.
The show’s music was composed by singer-songwriter Mia Palencia and arranged by
Loh Ui Li.
Conductor Lee Kok Leong. The musical features an ensemble of 27 actors and 13
musicians.
The main cast of Euphrasia includes Nikki Palikat, Megan Chng, Qahar Aqilah,
Doreen Tang, Ho Soon Yoon, and Alia Kearney.
The show is a collaboration between The Actors Studio and the Good Shepherd
Sisters.
13/15

14. Euphrasia – The Musical Full Cast. Photo: Doris Lim
Joint Production
Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre
Good Shepherd Sisters
The Actor Studio Seni Teater Rakyat
The outreach continues to reach out to the women and their children experiencing
domestic violence, children and youth who have limited access to educational
opportunities.
Euphrasia – The Musical is a MUST watch show!
Tickets still available for shows KOTA KINABALU @ Auditorium JKKN Sabah
10th & 11th May, 7.30pm FOR TICKETS, Call: 012 232 8207
‘Gratitude is the memory of the heart’
From the founding of the Congregation of the Good Shepherd Sisters in 1835, lay
women and men committed to the vision have emerged as mission partners playing a
vital role in the development of Good Shepherd mission in the Asia Pacific region.
Knowing the founding story and understanding the character and motivation of the early
Founders is a powerful orientation tool.
All proceeds of this show go towards work to eliminate all forms of gender-based
violence – domestic violence, human trafficking, and child marriage prevention.
14/15

15. What is an inspiration? Find out and get inspired!
My high school classmate Theresa said to me quietly, “I hope you were inspired by the
musical.”
Indeed I am.
I was mentally stimulated. The excitement of the mind coupled with the emotions I felt
watching the performance was quite overwhelming.
Mary Euphrasia’s life inspired the Euphrasia – The Musical.
The songs, dances and the play will continue to impact everyone who watched it in a very
deep and meaningful way. There were many touching moments in the musical that left
us crying.
The story of St Mary Euphrasia Pelletier is one that is of great inspiration and a
source of healing for generations of young women and will continue to help millions
of people around the world.
Resources:
Good Shepherd
Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepard
Motherhouse
The Star
Malay Mail
Mary Euphrasia Pelletier
*Cover Photo is a montage of photos Source: Euphrasia – The Musical FB
15/15